Zach Hayes is RTC’s resident bracketologist. He’ll regularly be out-scooping, out-thinking and out-shining Lunardi over the next two months.
Last Four In: Dayton, Mississippi, Virginia Tech, Louisville
Last Four Out: Cincinnati, Saint Mary’s, San Diego State, Mississippi State
Next Four Out: Florida, Memphis, South Florida, Texas Tech
Multiple bids per conference: Big East (7), ACC (7), Big 12 (7), Atlantic 10 (6), Big Ten (5), SEC (4), Mountain West (3), Colonial (2), Conference USA (2).
Automatic bids: Stony Brook, Richmond, Duke, Belmont, Kansas, Villanova, Weber State, Coastal Carolina, Michigan State, UC-Santa Barbara, Northeastern, Butler, UTEP, Cornell, Siena, Kent State, Morgan State, Northern Iowa, New Mexico, Robert Morris, Murray State, California, Lehigh, Kentucky, Charleston, Sam Houston State, Jackson State, Oakland, Arkansas State, Gonzaga, Utah State
- Syracuse’s stunning loss at home to Louisville not only pushed the Cardinals into the bracket but also kicked the Orange down to the last #1 seed, meaning they have to play out West in Salt Lake City while Villanova plays in the East region. The other #1 seeds were Kansas and Kentucky, a foursome that should stay on the top line for the foreseeable future.
- Purdue’s huge road win over Michigan State moved them up a line to a #2 seed along with Duke and Kansas State. Despite Georgetown’s embarrassing loss at Rutgers, West Virginia falling twice this week and the other three #3 seeds- New Mexico, Wisconsin, Michigan State- still lacking portfolio-wise in comparison, the Hoyas stay as a #2 seed.
- Due to a cluster of ACC teams in the #8-#10 seed range, some maneuvering had to be done to avoid intra-conference matchups. Two mid-majors, Siena and Old Dominion, were beneficiaries and moved up a seed line.
- Two A-10 teams skating dangerously close to the bubble are Dayton and Rhode Island. Both lost this weekend and lack in the quality win department. Top-30 RPI’s can only carry them so far. They’re now firmly in the double-digit seed range. Temple, Richmond and Xavier look to be near-locks while Charlotte remains bubble-in.
- Dropping out of the bracket from last week is Florida. The Gators lost twice at South Carolina and home vs. Xavier. They’re 0-5 vs. the RPI top 25 and the non-conference wins over Michigan State and Florida State are more and more distant. With weak computer numbers, Florida needs to start winning games in SEC play quickly or risk losing out on the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.
- Mississippi State took care of rival Ole Miss and Auburn at home this week. Knock off Kentucky in Starkville on Tuesday and the Bulldogs could get back into the field.
Next seed update: February 18.
Next bracket: February 22.